Dr Murray said: "The position of the Labour Party going into the Scottish Parliament elections will be that we would not, on principle, block an application for a new nuclear power station in Scotland.

"We would consider any planning application on its merits."

Last week First Minister Jack McConnell, Scottish Labour's leader, supported the development of a huge increase in renewable energy generation.

It is believed that he is trying to avoid his party making a decision on supporting new nuclear power stations before the Scottish elections in case it is a vote loser.

In public, Mr McConnell will only reiterate the policy of the Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition, saying: "We will not support further development of nuclear power stations while waste management issues remain unresolved."

Party policy

However, the Scottish Labour spring conference in February agreed that "plans must be started to replace or renew our existing... nuclear generating stations where required".

Dr Murray said the first minister must ultimately endorse party policy.